2021 Holiday Mini Session
All Your Day-Of Details
WHEN
December 4th, 2021
Check your email for your date/time confirmation
WHERE
My Studio - The Lakes Collective
7525 Village Drive, #170A
Lino Lakes, MN 55110
Important! use Front entrance directly in front of round-about.
PARKING
Take a left at the round-about and park along the front side of the building. you’ll be using the entrance right in front of the round-about. Maps always take people to the back larger parking lot. Please do not park back there as I won’t hear you at the back door.
CHECK-IN
IMPORTANT | DUE TO COVID, I WILL NOT BE HAVING FAMILIES GATHER INSIDE THE STUDIO BEFORE THEIR SESSION. INSTEAD, PLEASE WAIT IN YOUR CAR OR OUTSIDE IF ITS WARM. I WILL TEXT YOU AND WILL MEET YOU AT THE FRONT DOOR WHEN ITS TIME TO COME IN.
Please arrive dressed and ready to go.
YOUR SESSION
INCLUDES
10 MINUTES (THAT’S REALLY ALL IT TAKES!)
7 Low RESOLUTION JPEG IMAGES
Images delivered by December 6th
Preparation & Style guide - scroll down
STYLE ADVICE
YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
DRESSY & CASUAL WORK
look your best
I believe that clients should always stick to their personal style for their sessions. So wear something you love or that you feel like you look great in. With my minimalist environment, your clothing really show. So I recommend either coming dressed to the nines or wearing something that really reflects your personal style or means something to you. Anything goes really.
Check out the above gallery for a great selection of examples from previous years sessions. This year’s set will be a little bit different but still styled very neutral/minimalist. With that in mind the best choices for colors will be:
Light/Airy Look - whites, creams, light grey, light beige
Bold Look - whites, dark grey, medium beige, deep green, deep reds.
I always recommend avoiding bright colors as they can be too much against the white and green.
health protocol:
COVID
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY IS MY utmost CONCERN. I’LL BE DOING my best TO CREATE A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE
I’M SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU ALL!
Preparing for your holiday Mini session
(Part I)
STYLE : My holiday mini set is pretty minimalist and timeless, which means it’s also really flexible. It’s one of those sets that you can be SUPER dressed up for - think black dress and suit. Or you can dress it down a little with chino’s and sweaters for the guys and a pretty dress or blouse for the ladies. I would avoid anything too casual since the minimalist setup goes better with a classy look. But I have had clients mix in flannel and that looked nice for a casual look too. I would avoid corals, oranges, and pinks for this one. I always recommend not being too matchy-matchy. Meaning don't dress everyone in the exact same outfit.
Kids should be well rested and fed before your session time. Tired and hungry kids are cranky, and nobody wants that during photo time, right? Things happen, naps get cut short (and it’s always when you don’t want them too) so don’t fret if things don’t go as planned.
Preparing for your holiday Mini session
(Part II)
Please keep all snacks and bribes put away and only take them out in the event of a true emergency. As in, nothing else is working and your kid is for real not having it. I am not above bribing, but again, unless you want the Teddy Grahams a part of your photos, try and keep them put away.
Last and MOST importantly, let me do my job with the kiddos. If kids aren’t cooperating, I promise I’ll ask for help when I need it. The best thing you can do is remain happy and smiling so you look amazing in your photos. Grumpy kids can have split seconds of happy expressions and if you’re busy managing them, you won’t be ready for the camera. Plus kids feed off parents emotions, so the happier you are, the happier they will be too.
Preparing for your Holiday Mini session
(Part III)
In the event you have a child who ‘seriously ain’t having it’, take a deep breath. We can take a break for a couple minutes, and try and figure out what the problem is. Some kids are fussier and want nothing to do with photos, and this is how they’ll be no matter what day we do photos. Others, if there is an issue, we can try and figure out what it is. Please refrain from scolding, yelling or disciplining your child during the session. Now, if it’s necessary, by all means. But kids often have split moments of peaceful or happy expressions, so you want to always look camera ready. Kids need reminded and can get a little wild in front of someone new. But, we want to try and not ‘sweat the small stuff’ during photos and get through this together and avoid any epic meltdowns.
Botton line is we want to focus on love and snuggles. And please know that I have three VERY wild children of my own, so I’ve pretty much seen it all and I do have tricks up my sleeve.
Family F.A.Q.S.
Can our dog come?
Pets are MORE than welcome to join in! Please keep in mind that the waiting space inside is pretty small and can get busy so all pets MUST but on a leash and that there might be other pets at the studio. Only animals who are friendly towards others should come. If your pet doesn’t do well in new environments or around other pets and strangers, it might be best to book a non-mini session where you’d have more location and environment flexibility.
Family Session Success Checklist
Make sure kids have napped and have eaten before photo time! treats/snacks should be offered after photos!
Just have fun when you’re here. I’ll direct the kiddos!
Please make sure that you have discussed my style of photography with your spouse and/or they have read my prep!
R-E-L-A-X! Seriously, if you get wound up, the kids get wound up. Try and take a deep breath and go with the flow! Oh, and have fun!